A Schoharie Aqueduct Preservation Project Update

The Aqueduct Alliance is an informal group of organizations and individuals working to preserve the Schoharie Aqueduct, the ruins of the Erie Canal aqueduct over Schoharie Creek at Schoharie Crossing. They hope to expand the knowledge and appreciation of the structure, and make it more accessible to visitors. Montgomery County is seeking two grants totaling $800,000 to begin the multi-phase project.

The Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site is the only location where all three phases of New York’s Canals can be seen at once. In addition to the Schoharie Aqueduct, the only two remaining locks of the original canal can be found at Schoharie Crossing, as well as three enlarged canal locks and one barge canal lock.

After the stabilization of the remaining aqueduct structure is complete, organizers are hoping to add signage and safety barriers to allow visions to go out onto the structure. A pedestrian bridge extension from the aqueduct to the east bank of Schoharie Creek, would be a third phase of the overall project.

The Preservation League of New York State exhibit “Hidden in Plain Sight” is currently on view at the Montgomery Department of History and Archives in Fonda. The exhibit features the Preservation League’s Seven to Save structures, which include the Schoharie Aqueduct.

Photo of Schoharie Crossing on Erie Canal showing nine arches of aqueduct at Fort Hunter, seven now remain. (Courtesy United States Library of Congress).